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“I just tried to smile, tried to enjoy the fact that you don’t play in this often.

“You wish your score didn’t matter when you play in this.

“You wish this was just a round with your buddies where you go into the clubhouse and have one or seven pints afterwards.”

When asked whether it would be one or seven pints, Spieth smiled: “I’ll tee off early [Saturday], so somewhere in between!”

While Spieth tries to repair some damage today, Montgomerie will also get a surprise chance to tee-up having prepared for an exit.

Trooping off at four-over par, the 53-year-old had faced up to a sad end to his Open life.

He moaned: “We were done in by the weather on Thursday morning. It’s very much a shame.”

However, the climate turned in his favour to allow him and countryman Paul Lawrie to scramble through on the cut-line and join Russell Knox as a Scottish trio for the final two rounds.

Montgomerie will now get his wish of playing tomorrow and saying goodbye to the tournament on the track where he’s a member.

Colin Montgomerie (Image: Getty)

Mickelson and Stenson lead the field going into today’s key third round after taking advantage of less-brutal earlier conditions.

Less than 24 hours after being cruelly denied a place in the record books, former champion Mickelson made history.

Mickelson added a second round of 69 to his opening 63 for a 10-under-par total of 132, one shot lower than the previous best at the Ayrshire venue set by American Bobby Clampett in 1982 and equalled by Darren Clarke in 1997.

At one stage, Mickelson led The Open by five shots but Stenson roared on to his heels and will join him in the final paiting this afternoon after a 65 moved him to within one stroke.